Kabakila Pierre Pasuanzambi | September 12, 2024
News Brief
In Tubuluku, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dieurci Kamba tends his two-hectare field during the dry season. The youth in his 20s grows vegetables and spices like amaranth, okra, and chili peppers, Mr. Kamba calls his business Agri-Congo, and uses biodegradable packaging to set himself apart as he markets his product door-to-door. His focus on quality and customer relationships has boosted sales and profits. He says, "My products are popular due to the packaging I use. It assures customers that they are paying for quality vegetables." Mr. Kamba, who started in 2022, now aims to expand production and explore new markets.
Farmers practice off-season farming during the dry season in Tubuluku, a village located 12 km from Kananga city in the Kasaï-Central province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At this time, Dieurci Kamba, a farmer in his twenties, tends to his two-hectare field of vegetables and spices. He carefully navigates between the young plants to monitor their growth. He says, “My vegetables are growing well. Soon, I will put them on the market for my customers.”
He grows amaranth, okra, tomatoes, celery, cabbage, and spices like chili peppers and onions, and sells them to the people of Kasaï. Mr. Kamba packages his products and employs door-to-door sales to effectively market his produce. His company is called Agri-Congo.
He says, “My products are popular due to the packaging I use. It assures customers that they are paying for quality vegetables.” Mr. Kamba uses biodegradable packaging, aiming to protect the environment.
He explains his strategy to differentiate himself from competitors. After harvesting, he carefully washes his vegetables and spices with clean water to remove impurities. He then manually packages the products in biodegradable paper or taro leaves, forming one-kilogram bundles. After confirming the number of packages, he begins delivering them to his customers.
Mr. Kamba outlines his marketing strategy for better selling his production. Before harvesting, he identifies his regular customers, takes their orders, and then goes door-to-door for delivery. After delivering to his customers, Mr. Kamba seeks to meet other people to tell them about his products in order to expand his customer base. With a smile, he says, “We often offer credit in hopes of retaining the new customers.”
Mr. Kamba’s strategy earns him sympathy and popularity within the community. He says, “I receive a lot of encouragement and satisfaction feedback from my customers.” He notes that some customers are now placing orders themselves without waiting for him to ask.
Mr. Kamba asserts that his packaging strategy enables him to sell more and at a higher price, resulting in greater profits. He notes that he now sells one kilogram of spices or vegetables for 1,000 CDF ($0.34 US), compared to the previous price of 500 to 600 CDF ($0.17 – $0.21 US) for the same quantity.
Séraphin Kankonde is a teacher at the University of Kananga and an agro-veterinary expert. He says that agricultural professions are viable for young entrepreneurs or anyone interested in them. He believes that many young people who have ventured into agriculture have improved their living conditions. Mr. Kankonde estimates that 25% of young people are involved in agricultural professions.
He also appreciates Mr. Kamba’s marketing strategy, which he sees as a good innovation and recommends it to young agricultural entrepreneurs. Mr. Kankonde explains that vegetables, in their various forms, play a crucial role in food security by supplying essential vitamins and minerals that protect and support overall health.
Mr. Kankonde also recommends processing certain vegetables and fruits into juices, jams, or marmalades to boost local production and increase the income of young farmers. He advises young agricultural entrepreneurs to practice intercropping, crop rotation, and field management to maintain their fields.
Mr. Kamba started his business in 2022 with six friends who had undergone training with him, and they continue to work together to this day. To succeed, the team trained in agricultural techniques at the provincial youth center. This training provided them with knowledge on sustainability, financial management, technological innovation, cultural adaptation techniques, market, and commercialization.
Today, Mr. Kamba produces twice a year and earns about 700,000 CDF($245 US) per production cycle. He is driven by his ambition to become a leading entrepreneur. He is pleased with his progress and aims to expand his production, automate his packaging process, and begin exporting his products to other provinces.
This story is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Farm Radio International and Catholic Relief Services, recipient of agreement and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
Photo: Mr. Kamba in the field in DRC, photographed by Kabakila Pierre Pasuanzambi (2024)